FCC queries AT&T, Apple on Google Voice iPhone app rejection
By Ross Miller 
posted July 31st 2009 7:32PM
posted July 31st 2009 7:32PM
Yeah, we're pretty much all peeved by Apple suddenly ejecting all traces of Google Voice from the app store, but now it looks to have drawn the ire of the Federal Communications Commission, as well. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the agency has sent out three letters, one each to Apple, AT&T, and Google. To the latter company, it asked for a description of the Google Voice app and whether previous Google apps have been approved for the store (it has, but that's another interesting story). To Cupertino, it's asking the phone manufacturer to explain itself over the sudden exorcism and what involvement, if any, AT&T had in this decision. The report doesn't make a direct indication of what the letter to the carrier said, but we can imagine it's similar to what Apple got, plus some doodles at the end of a stick figure letting out an exasperated sigh. In a statement today, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said it "has a mission to foster a competitive wireless marketplace, protect and empower consumers, and promote innovation and investment." Hey Julius, while you're at it, can you see about Skype and Slingbox for us, too? Thanks.
Update: TechCrunch has published the three letters sent out, all very interesting reads. The FCC asks Apple specifically if any approved VoIP apps are allowed to be used over AT&T's 3G network, and more generally what are the "standards for considering and approving iPhone applications" and more details into the approval process. It also asks for the contact information of all developers of rejected Google Voice apps, presumably for further investigation. In the Google letter, it seems to be asking if Voice will be able to be utilized in any capacity over the web, without inclusion in the iTunes store. Unsurprisingly, a number of questions to Apple and AT&T concern the carrier's involvement in which apps or types of apps get rejected. All companies have until August 21st to respond and can request confidentiality on all or portions of their response.
Update 2: AT&T spokesman Brad Mays has sent us a statement denying any involvement in the app store process: "AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store. We have received the letter and will, of course, respond to it," he says. That said, its involvement in Slingbox's rejection certainly does raise some eyebrows here.
hell yeah
Open that can! Yeee Hawww!
Yes!! Make some Applesauce, FCC...
Totally agree. Glad to see the FCC stepping in.
Where was the FCC when the kids needed cut & paste?
Go FCC!
Does the FCC even have any authority to do anything here? Apple is under no legal obligation to allow some App to available on their device if they dont want, no matter how much of a dick move it is.
How you like them apples, Apple!?
@Look_Around_You MS should be able to block you from installing another browser on their OS because it does something similar to features they already include?
Hey Julius, while you're at it, can you see about Skype and Slingbox for us, too? Thanks.
LMAO.. GOLDEN!!!!
maybe this will force apple to describe the clusterfuck known as their approval process.
HUGBEES! HUGBEES!
YES! I'm very happy about this. For once I like what the FCC is doing (assuming they follow through).
just imagine if they go after apple over a single app what they could do to the cable industry for price gouging and metering internet service! yeah, can't wait... yeah. it's so going to happen. anytime now.
@Look_Around_U: The big problem here is that Apple gains nothing from removing these apps. They gain nothing from denying these apps. They have no reason to not allow the apps as it is in their best interest to keep their customers happy. AT&T on the other had has reasons to kill off the apps. They are trying to kill competition and keep expectations low so their shitty network can keep up.
When one company uses their relationship with another company to stifle or kill off competition that is illegal. I think honestly though the FCC is going to go after them on Net Neutrality. If Comcast can't decide what traffic flows on their network (which I completely agree they shouldn't) then why should AT&T? If they want to be a ISP it doesn't matter if the computer is hand-held or a desktop, they have to follow the same rules as everyone else. Killing/crippling apps is there way of managing the traffic.
I second that Hell Yeah. Apple & AT&T need to quit stifling cell phone and communication innovation the same way oil companies stifle alternative fuel sources. Go FCC!
Maybe the FCC could submit an app that superior to and duplicates one or several "ingenious Apple Inventions/Functions" (choking on bull excrement), have it rejected and then throw it right back in Apple's face-palmed faces...
Was only a matter of time
Apple is poised to have an interesting summer.
Apple v. FCC
Apple v. Palm
Apple v. Oranges
Apple vs Oranges LOL :)
Good move. Somebody *had* to do *something* about this. Glad it's the FCC.
Additionally, Google Voice for Canada. Plz and ty.
FCC is bunch of jackasses. Sorry to say that but AT&T should not be allowed to grow into monster like this in the first place. It was big company, then they split it into smaller companies and it worked great (remember SBC Global, Cingular, ....), FCC let them merge again and now AT&T rolled over everybody - home phone, DSL, cell phone. They have such a huge market share that they can do whatever they want and screw with whoever they want.
US is at least 5 years behind European cell phone market, why? ask AT&T and Verizon
I can't. They won't let the call go through.
@JimboJones
I'd like to very much know what do u mean.
@JimboJones
Well, they might be behind Europe... but I'm still wondering if there are other countries bar USA with visual voicemail (as I thought that was one of the main new feats when iPhone was first launched. Guess it depends too much on all the carriers in the different countries...)
I agree with @JimboJones. Although I am glad that FCC is investigating this matter, it is FCC that allowed anti competitive mobile market in the first place. Prior to Cingular-AT&T Wireless merger, there was intense price competition in the US mobile market, with each carrier unveiling new and better pricing plan every holiday season. That stopped after the merger, along with doubling the cost to send text messages and other ridiculous practices.
@Kurzweilfeak
Visual Voicemail worked from the start when T-Mobile launched the iPhone in Germany on 2007. France, too. And hey, MMS worked in Germany when they launched the 3gs. Not that I used it :-)
I agree that they allowed this, but this is under a new director.
WOWWWW...
this isn't just good for apple people, but pretty much anybody in the future/down the road that might fall victim to giant companies like ATT who can honestly give two shits about their customer
Ouch .. there is going to be lots of finger pointing on this one
Didn't see that one coming.
Apple iPhone. the cellular version of MS Windows
btw I have an iPhone and love it.
No. that would be Windows Mobile.
Yeah, way off the mark....
last time i check Microsoft lets you install any software you want.
because Microsoft doesn't care if you destroy your phone with destructive programs, you will just have to repurchase a new device with MS on it
...wtf type of programs are you downloading?
If the program looks like it has herpes, don't touch it.
Umn... no program can break your phone's hardware. Just do a hard reset and you're good to go.
Software CAN prevent you from using your hardware, making it useless. For example all of the people that have permanently bricked their cellphones/psp's, etc. to the point were a hard reset it not an option
Apple doesn't allow applications that compete with apple functions.
For example Symbian does screen applications for combatibility but if its compatible it gets released. Theres no fucton restrictions.
I wonder how long apple can do this.
@ Brendon - that would be a firmware update, bit different to simply installing an application which has no way of accessing the firmware at that level...
Best news I heard all day, thank you. I am a big proponent of new technologies in communication (and a heavy VoIP user too, since I live in the US but my family is in Greece), so things like that are of importance to me. Seeing Google Voice thrown out of the AppStore was a major shock for me the other day. Whoever was behind this banning of the app, must pay one way or another.
What is wrong with you people... YOU ARE USING A PHONE!!!!
Why would AT&T want you to use a substitute for voice over its own network?
remember you pay to use 1 number on at&t's service not for 2 numbers!
p.s. I dont even know what to think of your icon
wow dude, that was pretty harsh.. im sure it costs alot more to call from the us to greece then to use voip.. to take away our options is not the way to go, and the iphone is a phone, but so much more then that..
>Why would AT&T want you to use a substitute for voice over its own network?
Because I wouldn't use its network. I would use WiFi and VoIP via GoogleVoice.
And besides, it's not AT&T job to tell me who to call (e.g. if I call directly to Greece, or by calling a local number which redirects me to Greece). That would be a "call neutrality" problem (a'la net neutrality) and I am sure it would hold up in court.
>p.s. I dont even know what to think of your icon
So your own, all-black icon that shows nothingness is a better one?
@murmermer: I think it all has to come down to what JimboJones reiterated. AT&T was the sole phone company for years, then the FCC decided it go too big and too anti-competitive. They broke them down, everybody could compete fairly, and now we have AT&T and Verizon ruling the phone industry (land and cell).
Yes, you are agreeing to pay for a specific service from AT&T. But you should also have the option to use a service that's available on other phones on the same network. I think Big Blue is scared of GV cutting into their text and long distance revenues via the do-it-all iPhone.
@D. Toliver "I think Big Blue is scared of GV cutting into their text and long distance revenues via the do-it-all iPhone."
This ought to show AT&T... just send e-mail from your smart phone or Direct Message people on Twitter.
You don't *have* to use SMS.
http://www.videosift.com/video/Colbert-regarding-the-new-ATT
I can't take someone I don't find attractive seriously. Next.
I can't take someone I don't find intelligent seriously. Next.